Herbalists: 

Herbal therapy is an ancient practice based on a wealth of knowledge passed down and enriched from generation to generation. The use of medicinal plants had spread worldwide. However since the 19 century it had rapidly declined with the appearance of scientific and miracle medicine such as aspirin, antibiotics, cortisone etc…Since the 70’s, because of the undesirable secondary affects of chemical medication, people are once again turning toward medicinal plants, a natural therapy. Because of the growing population, scientists are undertaking new researches. For example, Worldwide Health Organisation (WHO) and the European community have created a group to access and record the traditional use of medicinal plants in order to understand their underlying mechanism and to validate the results on a scientific plan. 

Today herbal therapy supports both the traditional wisdom and the modern medical discoveries. The relatively recent merger of these two fields and the minimal regulated standards demonstrates that the practice and education are still quite unknown. In the field of healing with plants there are two major tendencies. Some practitioners put the emphasis on experimental knowledge of these plants and their known effects since the beginning of time. However those with a holistic approach are interested in the global effect of the plant. Others base it more on the biochemical knowledge and concentrate on the symptoms of the sickness and main assets of the plant. Herbalists associate the practical and herbal medicine to the scientific one; however this distinction tends to diminish, as tradition and science profit from both. Herbalists are often busy with the preparation and blending of plants as well as harvesting them. An herbal-therapist will rarely do this. They transform plants into different forms, concentrates, essential oils, elixirs, potions or ointments.  

It is absolutely undeniable that plants have healing and preventative effects on numerous sicknesses and ailments. Generally, herbal medicines, currently in use do not have or have very little secondary effects; this is one of the principal advantages. Also the synergy action of the divers components are starting to be understood and accepted scientifically. Last of all, contrary to certain popular beliefs, many plants have almost immediate effects on the metabolism.  

Everything natural is not risk-free. Some plants are toxic while others are harmful when mixed with certain plants, medications or supplements: therefore the importance to consult a physician, herbalist, naturopath or even a pharmacist. Herbalist intervention generally comes after a patient has followed sessions in alternative medicine and combined with treatments, allows a person to regain their health.